Does the Exiled Prince Have the Power to Lead Iran?
However, Trump has expressed skepticism regarding the power and widespread acceptance of the anti-Khamenei leader, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
The 65-year-old Prince Pahlavi, son of Reza Shah Pahlavi, currently resides in America. He has been outside Iran since his father was ousted before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In the current climate, Pahlavi has become a significant voice in the protests against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Following his calls, thousands of people took to the streets, forcing Iran to shut down internet services under pressure.
In an interview with Reuters, Trump said, “He seems like a very good man. But I don’t know what kind of role he can play in his own country. We haven’t reached that stage yet.” Trump added, “If the common people of Iran accept him, I have no objection.”
Monitoring the situation in Iran, Trump has issued warnings regarding the safety of protesters and the potential impact of their executions. However, amidst all this, he remains hesitant to offer full support to Pahlavi. Notably, the details of any discussions between Pahlavi and Trump’s envoys have not been made public.
Analysts believe that Trump’s hesitation reflects his concerns about Iran's internal political realities and the level of Pahlavi’s acceptance among the populace.
